Page 24 of Crash
“Tessa, I’m here,” I shout, trying to keep her calm when reaching her side. I touch her fingers, alerting her to my presence.
Her gaze falls to my face, and she seems more at ease, if that is possible.
“Her responses are normal. Pressure is a little elevated and her leg is broken, but I believe she’ll be fine. Hop in the cab and let’s get her to the hospital.”
“No. I’m gonna ride in the back with her. I’ll monitor her stats and keep her calm.”
“Good call. She’ll be more relaxed with you. Davis is riding shotgun. Morales is going to follow tag. The other unit is loading up the other driver.”
“Okay. Her parents are on the way to the hospital.” I feel more relaxed and able to respond in a professional manner hearing of her preliminary prognosis.
One of the policemen working the scene approaches us, and Caleb exchanges information. “Here’s Ms. Gordon’s personal items. I’m sure the contents are important. The other items will be available for pickup at the tow yard. We took inventory for comparison upon pickup. Davis tells me her family has been notified?”
“Yes, Officer. The injured is my girlfriend, and I took the liberty of calling her parents. They should be at the hospital by now, if not shortly,” I respond.
“Very well. I will note that in the official report. Can I list you as a contact in case we have more questions?”
“Sure. Do we know what happened?” I pull out my business card and jot down my personal cell on the back and hand it to him.
The officer looks around, surveying the scene, and then glances down at his notepad before responding. “Eyewitnesses report she was traveling through the intersection after her light turned green, when the other driver plowed through the red light at an accelerated speed, crashing into her and pushing her nearly into the pole. He was fumbling with his phone and hadn’t known the light had changed. Ms. Gordon’s reaction to turn the wheel very well prevented her death. She’s a very lucky young lady. To walk away with only a broken leg, from what I was told, is a blessing. We will have her car towed to the pound, but given its condition, someone may want to go through her car soon to check for other items that we may have missed. Weather is supposed to turn rainy over the next few days. I imagine I’ll be seeing you guys around.”
We shake hands, and he returns to finish up his report and give the okay for the tow truck to clear the scene.
“Look, I know that this is a very emotional time for you. I already called our sup, and she said take the night off. So, when we get to the hospital, you are off duty. Burn up some of that time you’re hoarding and be with her.”
I nod, and he pats my shoulder before both he and Davis push the bed into the back of the ambulance. They latch it on to the hydraulic lift and proceed to put Tessa in the back, securing her for transport.
“Austin, I’m so glad you were there for me,” she mutters through mumbled words; her breath slow, but not shallow.
“Me, too.”
I grab her fingertips, and she silently cries. I wipe away her tears, trying to make her as comfortable as possible. I connect the monitors for her vitals and listen to her lungs to make sure they remain clear. We pull off with sirens blaring. This is a tough call for me. Saving lives is my job but, I never thought I’d have to save hers.
